More photos from the Bates County Fair

Highlight photos from the last couple of days at the Bates County Fair. A listing of winners will be published soon

Open Horse Show canceled

The open horse show that was scheduled for Saturday is canceled and will not be rescheduled.  

From Senator Ed Emery- Legislative report for July 9

Legislative Report for July 9, 2015              The Oligarchy Speaks on Marriage

“When absolutes are denied, there is no basis for truth; the absence of truth leaves only opinion; in a world of opinions, the tyrant wins.” Anonymous

Freedom is greatest for those with the greatest power. America’s founders intended for the greatest power to rest with the people. Their writings make it clear that it was not their intention for an unelected oligarchy of nine to rule with unrestrained power. Last month, five justices of the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) bullied their way past federalism and the separation of church and state in the latest attempt to crush both with their statist gavel. Thirty states had previously defined marriage as between a man and a woman, and since the opinion, governors and legislatures across the U.S. have declared their intentions to protect their states from the anti-religious Supreme Court decision. Missouri’s governor, on the other hand, has declared his full support of the reprobate opinion. Elections really do matter!

The gradual demise of any moral restraint or even the legitimacy of moral values has introduced this nation to a political no man’s land where there are no moral absolutes and hence no right and wrong - only opinion. Marriage was not conceived, designed, nor imposed by the state, but it has suddenly been discovered by five judges in the U. S. Constitution. They even discovered its definition secretly coded therein. These five jurists, whose oath to support the constitution took second place, intend to impose their existential creativity upon fifty sovereign states from which they supposedly derive their jurisdiction. By their hand, federalism has been cast aside in favor of a social agenda. What happened to a “nation of laws, not of men?”

The violation of separation of church and state by this opinion was unprecedented. An institution which has always been the jurisdiction of the church was hijacked and neutered. Heretofore pledged to the propagation and benefit of children, these five elitists decreed it to the pleasure of adults. Apparently, marriage is no longer about the children. The state can no more redefine marriage than it can redefine death or birth. We make laws to accommodate all three and to describe any agreed-upon legal status, but their inherent character is beyond the reach of the state. Contracts are the legitimate jurisdiction of the state. However, marriage is not a contract but a divine relationship.

Had federalism prevailed, the SCOTUS would have acknowledged the absences of any constitutional status for marriage and would have left jurisdiction to the states. Some states would have taken the same reprobate approach as the SCOTUS and would have seen the exodus of those most offended by the redefinition of marriage and the immigration of same-sex proponents. In due time, populations would be affected as some states enjoyed increased birth rates while others declined. Prosperity would be affected and some public policies would be validated while others would not. Absolutes really do exist even if denied. Even if morality is ignored and all is left to mathematics, economics, anatomy, physiology, and nature, federalism and liberty eventually sort out the good from the bad; it takes time but absolutes prevail. The only way to implement and sustain bad public policy is by the mandatory hand of government via king, dictator, or oligarchy.

Several states have already begun attempts to mitigate the harmful effects of this unconstitutional SCOTUS opinion. The Missouri legislature must seek out the most effective ways to protect religious freedoms and the principles of righteousness, but we will need your prayers and divine intervention to get it right. As Justice Thomas wrote in his minority opinion: "This distortion of our Constitution not only ignores the text, it inverts the relationship between the individual and the state in our Republic." The question we must ask is whether this violation of their oath to support the Constitution of the United States justifies impeachment of five Supreme Court judges. I believe it should.

Thank you for reading this legislative report. You can contact my office at (573) 751-2108if you have any questions. Thank you and we welcome your prayers for the proper application of state government.

Contact Information
Capitol Office
State Capitol

Room 431
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Website:
www.senate.mo.gov/emery

Phone Number:
(573) 751-2108

Sign up now for help with back to school supplies

The West Central Missouri Community Agency is now taking applications for their back to school program, which helps families with back to supplies they are unable to purchase otherwise.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday July 15th at the Bates County Outreach office at 5 East Dakota street in Butler.

To be eligible, the entire household income must be 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or less.

Call 660-679-4108 for more information.

Latest results from the Bates County Fair

Poultry Show Results
Meat
Grand Champion Meat: Jacob Uptegrove
Reserve Champion Meat: Tucker Roach

Poultry
Grand Champion Poultry: Ella Buckner
Reserve Champion Poultry: Tucker Roach

Rabbit Show Results

Meat Market Pens

Champion: Allison Jenkins
Reserve: Dalton Van Horn

Individual Meat
Champion: Dylan Randalls
Reserve: Allison Jenkins

Junior Showmanship
Champion: Dylan Randalls
Reserve: Dakota Steinhoff

Intermediate Showmanship
Champion: Haley Bolling
Reserve: Dominic West

Senior Showmanship
Champion: Allison Jenkins

Best of Show
Dylan Randalls – Mini Rex Doe

Reserve Champion
Allison Jenkins – California Doe

Best Opposite
Sophie Cummings – Mini Lop Buck

Goat Show Results

Wether Class
Grand Champion: Reba Colin
Reserved Grand Champion: Reba Colin

%Blood Does 3 – 6 months
Grand Champion: Reba Colin
Reserved Grand Champion: Daylan Black

%Blood Does 6 – 9 months
Grand Champion: Samantha Otis

%Blood Does 12 – 24 months
Grand Champion: Bodee Hinkle
Reserved Grand Champion: Brittany Couch

Overall Blood Does
Grand Champion: Reba Colin
Reserved Grand Champion: Brittany Couch

Full-Blood Bucks 3 – 6 months
Grand Champion: Bodee Hinkle
Reserved Grand Champion: Mysti-Ane Pearce

Overall Full Blood Bucks
Grand Champion: Bodee Hinkle
Reserve Champion: Mysti-Ane Pearce

Full-Blood Does 3 – 6 months
Grand Champion: Will Pryor
Reserved Grand Champion: Bodee Hinkle

Full Blood Does 12 – 24 months
Grand Champion: Brittany Couch

Overall Full Blood Does
Grand Champion: Will Pryor
Reserved Grand Champion: Bodee Hinkle

Full Blood Does Pair of Does
Grand Champion: Brittany Couch

Showmanship 15 and over:
Grand Champion: Reba Colin
Reserved Grand Champion: Morgan Bradley

Showmanship 11 – 14
Grand Champion: Kameran Collier
Reserved Grand Champion: Will Pryor

Showmanship 8 – 10
Grand Champion: David Vaughn
Reserve Grand Champion: Keegan Yarick

Lamb Results

Market Lamb

Grand Champion: Jesse Mackeprang
Reserve Champion: Tayton Dains

Ewe
Grand Champion: Brooke Dunning
Reserve Champion: Maylen Lawson

Ram
Grand Champion: Becka Stephens

Bred and Owned Market Lamb
Grand Champion: Whitney Willerton
Reserve Champion: Whitney Willerton

Jr. Showmanship Ages 8-10
Grand Champion: Tyne Wilson
Reserve Champion: Blaire Miller, Rains Craft

Intermediate Showmanship 11-14
Grand Champion: Tayton Dains
Reserve Champion: Brooke Dunning, Maylen Lawson

Senior Showmanship 15 and up
Grand Champion: Jesse Mackeprang
Reserve Champion: Reba Colin, Carter Mitchell

Ham results

4 H Grand Champion Ham – Blake Doody of Altona 4H
4 H Reserve Grand Champion Ham – Case Doody of Altona 4H

Photo highlights from the Bates County Fair

We will be adding more photos throughout the day. A list of all winners in all categories will be published later this week.

Today's schedule at the Bates County Fair

7:30 - 9:00 am - Jr. beef weigh in
8 - 11 am - open flower show
9 am - 4-H horse show
9:30 am - Jr beef show
11 am - Rotary lunch
5 pm - Steer show
5 pm - Cattleman's steak dinner
7 pm - Pee Wee livestock show

Baby contest winners at the Bates County Fair...

A total of 40 babies and toddlers competed in the baby contest held this evening at the fairgrounds. The final results:

0-3 months

Bexleigh Mae Morrison daughter of Taylor Maris and Jordan Morrison of Hume

JJ Brown son of Ashley and Bob Brown of Rich Hill

4-6 months

Kaydence Dunn daughter of Leea and Kenny Dunn of Butler

Montie Gilkey son of Patricia Edwards and Randy Gilkey of Rich Hill

7-12 months

Karaline Denning daughter of Marci Denning of Nevada

Levi Tallman son of Matthew and Anna Tallman of Adrian

13-18 months

MacKenzee Douty daughter of Desriee Rudolph and Jesse Douty of Butler

Keenan Jay Armentrout son of Abbie and Nick Armentrout of Butler

19-24 months

Cheriana Patterson daughter of Kenneth and Jodi Patterson of Nevada

Mason Smith son of Kyle and Penny Smith of Butler

Toddlers 25-36 months

Emily Coleman daughter of Kelsey and Justin Coleman of Nevada

Hunter Yarick son of Cliff and Gail Yarick of Hume

Toddlers 37-48 months

Draya Vermillion daughter of Tara Vermillion and Johnny Fennewald of Ballard

Callan Rotert son of Chris and Michelle Rotert of Montrose

A big thank you goes to those with the toughest job, judging. They were Lisa Marino of Overland Park KS, Rachelle Annis of Mission KS and Sarah Zimmerman of Olathe KS.

Also many thank you's to Beta Sigma Phi Epsilon Omicron ladies who for many years now, have sponsored the Bates County Fair baby contest!